Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-09
THE MAXIM MACHINE GUN.
Ar Engine which Fires Six Hundred
Shots NIinute.

Statisticians inform us that the entire
loss of Ike in wars between so-callcd civil
iZcd countries from the year 1898 10 1877
has reached tue enormous amodlt of
f,4tO.OOO. 10 many persons these figures
convey sad and salutary lesson On the
other hand, there are many who act as if
they needed or knew them not. Readers will
oiiter as TO whether it is laudable or other
wise 10 invent any means by which the
above figures might possibly he increased;
bat. leaving the sentimental part Of the
subject aside, all will readily unite in ad-
hiring the wonderful mechanism which
makes the Maxim machine gun an engine
oi terrible dCstrucliyeness. Particular In
tCrcst attaches to il at the present time ow-
lag TO the fact that the great African OK
lorer. Stanley, provided himself with
lAls Formidable weapon. 10 be used delens-
lyely in the expedition on which be re-
Gently Started for the relief of Emin Bey.
Moreover, ii obtained goal me at the
inventions Exhibition. and has been APP
proved T. II not actually adopted, by
many governments, the Chinese Govern.
ment being particularly mentioned rs one
OF the largest purchasers.
It's rate If iiring-6O0 rounds a minute
lis at least three times rs rapid as that OF
any other machine gun. IL has only sin
= &c barrel, which, hen the shot is fired,
rccoils distance OF threc-Quariers of an
inch on the other parts of the gun. This
rccoil sets moving the machinery which
automatically keeps up continuous fire
at the extraordinary rate Of tel rounds
second. Zach rccOll OF the b rrel has
ucretore To perform the necessary iunc
ions Of extracting and cjccting the empty
cartridge, OF bringing upt the next full one
aud placing II in lis proper position in the
barrel, OF cooking the hammer and pulling
The trigger. AS long rs the firing con
tinues these functions are repeated round
after round in succession. The barrel is
provided with water jacket TO prevent
excessive heating; and IS SO mounted that
IL can be raised or lowered or set at an
angle, or turned horizontally % the left or
to The right. The bore is adapted TO the
present size Of cartridges; and the maxi
mum range is 500 yards. The gun
can therefore be made to sweep "a
circle upwards Of q mile in radius
Nor is the gun excessively heavy, its
total weight being only TOO pounds, made
up thus: Tripod, 80 pounds; pivot con
which the gun turns and by which il IS
attached TO the Hpod), 10 pounds: gan
and firing mechanism, 10 pounds. The
parts can be easily detached and conycn
icnuy folded for carriage. and may be pun
together again So quickly that IL the belt
containing The cartridges Is IN position, the
arst shot can be delivered within ten sec
Onds. Ii would therefore, b extremely
scryiceable in preventing disaster through
body OF troops being surprised. Recon
nOiteung parties, too, would deem it pru
dent TO pay greater Difference 10 an en-
1ny's lonely sentry on advanced outpost
duty if the latter were provided with this
new machine gun, instead Of the ordinary
yihe
Immediately below the barrel Of the gun
box is placed containing the belt which
carries tho cartridges. The belts vary in
length. Those commonly used are seven
feet long and capable OF holding 3j3 car.
ridges. shorter ones hold i2O cartridges,
but the several pieces can be joined to-
gcther for continuous firing. Single shots
can be fired at any time whether the belt
is in position or not-in the former case
by pressing button, which prevents the
rccoil; in the latter, by hand-loading in
The ordinary way. To start firing, one
end Of the belt is inserted in the gun, the
trigger is pulled by the hand once. after
which the movement becomes continuous
and automatic a. long as the supply O.
cartridges lasts. At each rccoil Of the bar
rel the belt is pushed sufficiently upward
to bring the next cartridge into position;
the mechanism grasps This cartridge,
draws it Irom the belt and pa -e, il on a.
the barrel Should faulty or an empty
cartridge find its way in and thc gun does
not go oil in consequence there u.s. OF
course no rccoil TO keep up Tie repeating
action, and the mechanism ccascs To worA
until the obstruction is removed.